Magaziner Clinches Wins for Climate Resiliency Efforts in Rhode Island

Once again, Seth delivers for the district 

U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) clinched several wins for Rhode Island in H.R. 8812: Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, a comprehensive water infrastructure development bill, which passed the House in a bipartisan vote. 

 

The bill includes an authorization of $289,775,000 for the Rhode Island Coastline, Coastal Storm Risk Management project, including $188,353,750 in federal dollars. The project would strengthen climate resiliency along the Rhode Island coastline by elevating 290 residential structures, floodproofing 171 non-residential structures, and floodproofing 36 critical infrastructure facilities. 

 

“Sea level rise, coastal erosion and more frequent flooding threaten Rhode Island and our way of life, and we need to invest in long-lasting solutions that will protect homes, schools, businesses and critical infrastructure from the effects of climate change,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner. “I am proud that the House passed this legislation, which is a major win for our state, and I will continue working to ensure it’s funded.”

 

The Rhode Island Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) study area runs from Point Judith eastward to the Massachusetts border, including the majority of Narragansett Bay, and also includes Block Island. This area experiences frequent flooding from high tides, spring tides, and coastal storms and is susceptible to sea level rise. 

 

The project will reduce the risk of flooding in the most flood prone areas over 450 miles of coastline by 27 percent and 73 percent for the structures that will actually be addressed in the project. The project will also help insulate significant critical infrastructure at risk of damage from future flooding and coastal storms including communication sites, electrical substations, emergency facilities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and schools, in addition to communities and businesses. 

 

Rep. Magaziner also secured several of his other priorities in the legislation, including:

1. Reauthorization of the National Dam Safety Program. Dams play a vital role in producing energy and contributing to the economic development of Rhode Island. This program will provide funding for dam rehabilitation and repairs, and help ensure RI has the resources it needs to monitor dams and reduce the risks associated with dam failure.  

2. Increasing the federal limit for cost-shared projects. Construction costs have risen considerably in the past ten years, but the per-project federal expenditure limit for the Continuing Authorities Program has not increased since 2014. This program allows the Army Corps to work on projects of a more limited scope, but do so in an expedited fashion. Annually, the Army Corps will now be able to fund $50 million on shoreline protection projects, up from $25 million per year, and it can spend $2.5 million more per project on storm and hurricane restoration projects than under current law.  

3. Better align federal and state initiatives and planning. Many states, including Rhode Island, have a state-approved coastal management plan that includes priority projects and a deep understanding of coastal needs. This requires the federal government to study how to better align the Army Corps’ process for predicting resiliency, sea level rise, and flood impacts with that of state agencies, like the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council.